Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-08-19
THE FUTURE.
C"Gg:ess man Abbott Thinks the n, 1t
state Convention CaR0ot Ignore the
Prohibition Question.
Br~acb or Wound npeccssnriIy-Some
s Editorial Demands for an Anti Plank.
CONGRESSMAN ABBoTr's VIEWS.


HILL~HORo, Ten, aug. Is, 1851.
To the Editor OF the Gazette.
Yours OF the llth asking an expression
of my views in brief as 10 what should be
the action Of the next Democratic sts+e
convention in order to harmonic and
unity the Democrats Of Texas, and as to
the ACCESSIBILITY of leaving the prohibition
question as it was left by the Galveston
platform, or whether any mention Of it
whatever should be made, is received.
As the prohibition amendment was sub
mitted to the people by Democratic
Governor adsLegislsture to be voted on
at time when no political issue was to
be determined at the aallot- box, and as
the action OF the Galveston convention In
reference TO local option relegated the
question to the people in the opinion Of
great many good men, and as many able
men on both sides discussed the question
of prohibition before the people from g
non partisan standpoint, therefore the &C
ton OF no citizen in supporting or OPP
posing the amendment should affect his
standing in the Democratic party, and l
think the next Democratic convention
should so declare.
But as the question Of state prohibition
has been fairly submitted to the people,
and as the eXpediency Of adopting the
same as a measure Of state policy has
been ably and exhau8tively discussed be-
fore them, their decision as expressed al
TIE ballot box should be regarded es fiual
and acquiesced in by all. Will all Demo.
Gratis so regard II? If so, there can be nc
objection 10 declaring in the next plat
form against the re-submission OF such
an amendment. This much ought to be
conceded by our prohibition friends.
To leave the question untouched would
be equivalent to admitting that the late
contest was fruitless-that nothing was
aes,hed-that the question was still ope1
Efor discussion t1is apple Of discorc
I teoul1 be thrown into the ranks of tn,
!, tbarty WHENEVER anyone chose to do so
fThis oAsias&et to be so. The next stat'
convention cannot in Justice to the peopl
wholly ignore this question. 1t involve
fundamental principle Of government O
such gravity and Importance that it
1settlement is essential to the peace an
lgood order of society; and no politica
lp1rtp csn maintain its hold on tn
.fsonfderes Of the people that will shir
g SIGH responsibility. No political part
4 ! CdAhAlS0u W pass uuAOLiCSQ iueStIOL
{ the discussion Of which threatens, c
rather endaDgers its Integrity. Apgr
: discussions sometimes destroy familie!
;: and may disintegrate parties. Expert
y ence shows that the frequent recurrenC
+ Eef loGkl; option or prohibition election
6 eMSxsaers mueh strife among friends
5o-s and families, without resultin
a% prg3dEal benefit to society. Thes
ses@ be encouraged. We do nj
Z want tSsee repetition Of the late cor
. test. 1t ought to be settled by the ne!
convention. Otherwise the apparitiop
= prohibition will be forever haunting Il
& hpeople and, like Barquo's ghost, will n
!: Eaown 81 their bidding.
d Che great Democratic brotherhood
!. Of Texas unite in convention in a spiI
:. of mutual concession and comprCmis
bury al unpleasant memories Of the la
{. contest, aud agree that the voice of t
hS3 peogie, If not the voice Of God, should
a RESPECTED, and accepted as a final settl
~ ment of the question. Respectfully,
Fl 10 ABBOTT.